Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center, Winchster, VA

The Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center, a cutting-edge 54,000-square-foot facility situated at Handley High School in Winchester, represents a collaborative effort between VMDO and Reader + Swartz Architects. This state-of-the-art center serves as a pivotal hub for workforce development by preparing high school students and community members for the regional job market. Offering a diverse array of programs ranging from high-intensity trades to professional skills labs, a health sciences suite, and specialized STEAM lab spaces focusing on cybersecurity, digital design, robotics, and computer technology.

The design of the center places a strong emphasis on high visibility work labs and dynamic collaboration spaces, promoting innovation and creativity. Sustainability is key in the architectural approach, with features such as abundant natural daylighting, the use of healthy materials, improved air quality, and reduced energy consumption integrated into the design. The exterior renovation of the existing brick school incorporates Swisspearl fiber cement panels, a mix of red Swisspearl slat panels, dark grey large panels, and wood slats in a rainscreen application with ECO Cladding sub-framing.

This project is a collaborative endeavor involving Laurel Ridge Community College and local industry partners, aiming to enhance workforce readiness for Winchester high school students and community members to align with the demands of the job market. The Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center stands as a beacon of modern educational infrastructure, designed to cultivate innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, paving the way for a skilled and prepared future workforce within the local community.